Medical Office Specialist
About the role
As a Medical Office Specialist at Hackensack Meridian Health, you will perform a variety of secretarial and administrative duties for the outpatient medical office, focusing on front desk functions in an ambulatory setting. Your role is crucial in ensuring patients receive excellent care, satisfaction, and a seamless experience during check-in, scheduling, registration, and check-out, as well as supporting patients post-visit for any appointment needs and concerns.
Responsibilities
- Promote patient satisfaction through friendly and helpful interactions, escalating potential issues to leadership.
- Greet patients and visitors courteously and manage the check-in/check-out process, including:
- Obtaining and verifying demographic information (e.g., date stamp, insurance card copies).
- Collecting copayments and applicable balances; verifying insurance eligibility.
- Ensuring appropriate referrals are obtained (specialty offices).
- Assisting patients with paperwork (e.g., face sheet, ABN, HIPAA forms).
- Accurately entering patient demographic information into the EMR.
- Downloading specific health data into the EMR, depending on specialty.
- Providing assistance with e-check-in, iPads, kiosks, and other tools.
- Monitor and manage all steps in the electronic medical records system (EMR), including scheduling, cancellations, reconciling registration errors, and providing referral information to optimize provider scheduling.
- Receive and direct all communications (EMR, phone, email, RightFax) courteously and consistently, interpreting routine policies and procedures.
- Resolve routine matters independently; escalate non-routine issues appropriately.
- Review and distribute daily mail correspondence to staff in a timely manner.
- Prepare documents, file reports, and maintain patient confidentiality.
- Prioritize and follow up on tasks to ensure high-quality patient care.
- Review procedure preparation and instructions with patients as needed.
- Reconcile all forms of payment for accurate daily bank deposits; sign and date completed receipts.
- Address front-end needs (e.g., office supplies, equipment) and escalate issues to the Practice Manager.
- Travel to other locations to provide coverage as required.
- Perform other duties and projects as assigned.
- Adhere to HMH organizational competencies and standards of behavior.
Qualifications
Required:
- High School diploma, GED, or equivalent experience.
- 1+ years of experience working with the public in a customer service setting.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, visible environment while maintaining professionalism under stress.
- Strong time management and ability to prioritize competing demands.
- Must be able to travel to various locations; reliable transportation required.
- Proficient computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Suite).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred:
- Associate’s Degree.
- 1+ years of related work experience in a physician practice or hospital setting.
- EMR/EHR experience.
- Prior clerical training or knowledge.
Pay
Minimum starting rate of $20.64 per hour. The posted rate is a reasonable good-faith estimate of the base pay for this role at the time of posting and may vary based on factors such as labor market data, experience, education, skills, geographic location, internal equity, and budget considerations. Some positions may also be eligible for shift differentials, performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions.
Benefits
Hackensack Meridian Health offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) employees, including:
- Health, dental, and vision coverage.
- Paid leave.
- Tuition reimbursement.
- Retirement benefits.